Database Develop

[help] how to make a update.zip???

hey does anyone know how to make a update.zip for a apk???

you need to create an update-script that basically tells the flashing app where the file of your apk goes in the live system.
zip and sign and you're done.
if your next question is "how do I write an update-script" I would suggest you download any of the roms available, extract their script and have a look at it.
its quite basic, not much more difficult than writing a batch file on DOS.
there are a couple of threads that give a few pointers as well but they are somewhere in xda, not necessarily in the nexus section.
search for update-script and you'll see.

nmesisca said:
you need to create an update-script that basically tells the flashing app where the file of your apk goes in the live system.
zip and sign and you're done.
if your next question is "how do I write an update-script" I would suggest you download any of the roms available, extract their script and have a look at it.
its quite basic, not much more difficult than writing a batch file on DOS.
there are a couple of threads that give a few pointers as well but they are somewhere in xda, not necessarily in the nexus section.
search for update-script and you'll see.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks mam ill give it a try

Remove the .txt extension or use the META-INF folder in the .zip that already has the same update-script in it or finally, you can use the empty update.zip which already has all the components in it, you just need to add your .apk's and .jar's to it.
This is a basic update script that works well for themes (or at least for me it does). In your .zip have META-INF (for the update-script) folder (take one from a ROM or theme) and an app and a framework folder and it will work.

Recompile APK help

I'm a noob at this... I searched the forum but couldn't find any information.
Could someone more knowledgeable explain to me how to decompile and recompile apk's?? More specifically the framework-res??
I read that you can't simply unzip and then rezip... so what do I have to do?

The apk's are zip files that contain the resources (icons, bitmaps, sounds, etc.) as well as the code compiled in a classes.dex file. You can replace the resources after deodexing, but I don't think you will be able to change the compiled code in classes.dex unless you have the source code.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

So for instance... if I have a clockwork flashable battery mod... and I unzip that... and edit colors of icons in the framework-res.apk, then can I just save the files, recompress and it will still flash properly?
And another thing.. if you have a clockword flashable .zip how do you change it so that you can flash via stock recovery? I know that simply renaming it to update.zip and trying via stock will not work. Is it a hard process, do I need a special program on my pc??

make your life easier..
search xda for Apk Manager

jslee1020 said:
So for instance... if I have a clockwork flashable battery mod... and I unzip that... and edit colors of icons in the framework-res.apk, then can I just save the files, recompress and it will still flash properly?
And another thing.. if you have a clockword flashable .zip how do you change it so that you can flash via stock recovery? I know that simply renaming it to update.zip and trying via stock will not work. Is it a hard process, do I need a special program on my pc??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not sure about editing apk's. To create a flashable zip file through stock recovery, you need to have the META-INF folder correctly created with a working updater script and the manifest and certificate files that you get by signing the zip file. Look into playing with the HTC android kitchen on the chef central section here to automate that process.

How to create a cwm flashable zip file

Does anyone know how to create a .zip file that can be flashed through cwm? say for instance a .zip file that contains the cwm recovery? Any help would be great, and thanks to all in advance who reply
Sent from my SCH-I800 using xda premium

I want to know this too. When I take a zip file that flashes correctly and put a different file in the zip folder, like a modem for example, the new zip file won't flash.

modems are tricky in the Galaxy S line, there's been some work i've seen about flashable modems, but almost everything i've read says they always fail to flash. There are tons of tuts about creating CWM flashable .zip on XDA, just do a quick search.

Same here. I would like to create a cwm zip files that contains all my user apps. TB is good in batch mode but would be so much quicker if I could create a zip and do it after flashing rom.

Have to know how to create scripts to do this. The script takes care of where the file you want to install goes in the system. Then there is the META-INF folder.
Too complicated for me. Let us ask Noxxious.
Sent from my GT-P1000 using Tapatalk

[GUIDE][TUT]::Modifying & Making Your Own Custom Roms::(New Method)

This is a detailed tutorial about modifying or making your own custom roms....but not as regular method... It is a new method...
So...lets start....
In this Guide...you will come to know how to--
Modifying rom..
Adding apps and removing..
Changing bootanimation, rom's name, fonts, ringtones...etc.
A new and easy method to make the rom....
::Requirements::
Galaxy Mini..
A windows PC.
Some basic knowledge..
Time and Patience(most imp)
::Important Tools::
7zip or any other zip manager>>Download Here<<
Update Zip Packager>>Download Here<<
Notepad++ >>Download Here<<
Dsixda's Kitchen..(OPTIONAL)..>>XDA Link<<
::About "BaseRom".zip::
Now, suppose, your base rom is CyanogenMod7.zip...
So...when u will extract that zip...u will see there...
META-INF (Folder)
system (Folder)
boot.img
META-INF :
This folder contains the files which are related to your recovery....in simple words...these files guide your recovery to flash zip, set permissions and some other things...
So...the change that we want here is to add the text that our recovery shows while flashing the rom...look in the extras for the tut...
boot.img :
This file contains Kernel of ur rom....and it also contains splash screen of ur rom....which u can edit...!! Look in extras..
NOW, the main thing..
::Main Tutorial::
Download your base rom and flash it....(without editing anything).
Flash Gapps..
Flash some other material such as Bravia Engine, Audio Enhancements, Scripts, Tweaks, etc
Flash each n every thing that you want in your rom...
Flash any theming material..which u want in ur rom
If you are modifying some system apps such as phone.apk, systemui.apk, framework-res.apk....then modify them one by one and flash them..
When you are done your theming, tweaking, and rest of the things...(now, you are running your rom having your desired theme, scripts, tweaks...)
Now....go to CWM recovery and do a Nandroid backup..
After the backup is completed...locate to the folder in sd-card where the backup file is created..(SD-Card>clockworkmod>backup>.....)
In this "backup" folder...you will see a folder named as the date when you have taken the backup..
In that folder...you will see a file - system.ext4.tar.
Copy that system.ext4.tar file in your PC...
Extract the file...you will see a folder - system
Now, this "system" folder is your Rom's system folder.. having all scripts, tweaks and theming...
Just delete the folder "lost+found" in that system folder and take this folder to the folder where your META-INF and boot.img are...
IMPORTANT:You have to delete "xbin" folder from the extracted system folder and then u have to copy and paste the original xbin folder to that folder..
::Extras::
Editing build.prop :
Locate to the system folder....open build.prop and edit it as you want by adding lines to it...refer this link...
Adding and Removing Apps :
Under system>>app folder copy the apps that you want to add to your rom...also remove the apps that you want...but click here to know the list of apps that can be removed...
Adding UI print to the meta-inf :
Locate to the file updater-script (META-INF>com>google>android>updater-script).
Open the file updater-script with Notepad++...
Scroll down to the last line of the matter...
Copy and paste the following code exactly below the last line
ui_print("Have A Nice Day");
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should type your own desired text at the place of Have A Nice Day..(with "....")
Done!!
After u have done....leave the META-INF folder as it is....for now..
Editing Splash Screen :
Extract the boot.img by using dsixda's kitchen....it is very easy...
After that....refer to this LINK for editing boot splash screen......and then repack the boot.img again using dsixda's kitchen
Editing boot animation of rom :
Download your desired bootanimation.zip.
Rename it "bootanimation.zip".
Now, locate to the folder system>media
You will see a file bootanimation.zip there..
Replace that file with your desired boot animation..(renamed)..
Done!!
Adding ringtones :
Take your ringtone file...it should be in .ogg format..If not then convert it to .ogg..
Locate to the folder system>media>audio>ringtones>
Copy and paste your .ogg files here in ringtones folder..
You can also change notifications, alarm and UI tones like this..
Changing the Fonts :
Take your desired font.ttf file and rename it as DroidSans.ttf..
Locate to the folder system>fonts>
Now, replace the file DroidSans.ttf with your desired DoridSans.ttf...
To change the lock screen clock font...replace the Clocktopia.ttf with your desired one..(rename first)..
Changing the ROM's name :
Note: It will be shown in settings>about phone>
Open build.prop with Notepad++
Find the line-
ro.cm.version="Base rom's name"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Type your rom's name instead of "Base rom's name"..
Save..
Done!!
Theming Your Rom :
Refer to the following links for theming guides-
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1422116
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=916814
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1342895
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=821638
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1469987
Now you have your MODIFIED : -
META-INF (folder)
system (folder)
boot.img
::Creating your ROM.zip::
Extract the provided UpdateZipPackager.zip
You will see->>placehere(folder)
>>others(folder)
>>script.bat
Now, copy your modified META-INF, system and boot.img in the folder "placehere" in UpdateZipPackager..
Run the script.bat in UpdateZipPackager..
It will ask something...type "n" and press enter..
Now, you will see a list in the script window...
Choose option 2 and press enter..
It will create an update.zip...
This is your roms zip..
Flash your rom and upload it to XDA..!!! Enjoy..!!
Plz...press thanks if I helped you with this guide...

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nice guide dude!
gonna try this wen i m free from my school homeworks!
Sent from my GT-S5570 using Tapatalk 2

ronakmachhi said:
nice guide dude!
gonna try this wen i m free from my school homeworks!
Sent from my GT-S5570 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok..bro..but...
I have forgot that word "homework" from...last year...lol...

oj_buddy said:
Ok..bro..but...
I have forgot that word "homework" from...last year...lol...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
bt unfortunately i ll have to concentrate on that as i m in 12th grade-science stream!
Sent from my GT-S5570 using Tapatalk 2

Great tutorial OJ.....
This should help many who want to create their own roms, but I also fear xda will now get flooded with themed or modified roms.

thats an awesome tutorial buddy
Thanks a lot
-Rik(Rittik)

Greats,, its fast to make a custom rom

all app data will be in the rom that we have creat?????causs i don't want my sms and other thing to be in the rom that i will make.....pleazzz anwers....

lackhoo said:
all app data will be in the rom that we have creat?????causs i don't want my sms and other thing to be in the rom that i will make.....pleazzz anwers....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NO, it won't be there.... ALl your apps and data will not be in this rom as we've not included the data folder data.ext4.tar (which is the one to store all your data).
SO, don't worry much about it.

all app data will be in the rom that we have creat?????causs i don't want my sms and other thing to be in the rom that i will make.....pleazzz anwers....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use titanium Backup to backup your apps and Some SMS backup app from market...many of them are available..Then after installing neW ROM just restore
em..thats how i do it
easy and simple
A problem i am facing is..i have created around 2-3 update.zip like the way mentioned above...following every procedure...but while Installing througg CWM it says...Installation aborted
-Rik(Rittik)

yagya said:
Great tutorial OJ.....
This should help many who want to create their own roms, but I also fear xda will now get flooded with themed or modified roms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks man...
But...r u serious yagya..?? Only source builds..???... how do you know it..??
Sent from my GT-S5570 using Tapatalk

Rittik said:
thats an awesome tutorial buddy
Thanks a lot
-Rik(Rittik)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks...
Sent from my GT-S5570 using Tapatalk

Rittik said:
Use titanium Backup to backup your apps and Some SMS backup app from market...many of them are available..Then after installing neW ROM just restore
em..thats how i do it
easy and simple
A problem i am facing is..i have created around 2-3 update.zip like the way mentioned above...following every procedure...but while Installing througg CWM it says...Installation aborted
-Rik(Rittik)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check your framework-res.apk for errors...as well as...check your meta-inf...try with an unedited meta-inf...and also..dont forget to replace that xbin folder with the original one...from base rom...also delete lost + found folder taken from system.ext4.tar ...try everything freshly..dont make anything wrong in update zip packager..in options selection...u will surely get success..
Sent from my GT-S5570 using Tapatalk

After I did the nandroid backup and went my backup folder, I only saw a "system.img" file inside the other folder - no "system.ext4.tar" ...what should I do in this case?

Oj-buddy, I am trying to follow your guide to make a custom ROM, but I find myself in a spot. You said that after I do the nanadroid backup, I'm supposed to go to: sdcard/clockworkmod/backup/(dated folder which contains my rom) where I will see "system.ext4.tar", but that's not what I see ;these are the files I see: android_ secure.img, boot.img, cache.img, data.img, nandroid.md5, recovery.img, sd-ext.img, system.img.....what should I do at this point?

jayrome876 said:
After I did the nandroid backup and went my backup folder, I only saw a "system.img" file inside the other folder - no "system.ext4.tar" ...what should I do in this case?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should use latest CWM recovery for it.....
or you can also extract system.img with magicISO tool...
both system.img and system.ext4.tar are same files..

[MOD][TEMPLATE] Magisk Module Template with EvilTheme Patcher

Hello everyone.
This is a little mod to the Magisk Module Template that allows you to patch APK files on-the-fly and have them created as a Magisk Module.
For example, you could have a modified camera module for your ROM, where this patcher would replace the classes.dex file with mods, then pack that as a Magisk Module, using the original file found in the /system (ROM)
For some of the devs that have been around for a while, you would be aware of the old VRTheme modding system, which would allow you to patch files on-the-fly. EvilTheme is basically a newer version of that, so combined with Magisk can be very useful
Here's what this module CAN do:
Replace resources.arsc, classes.dex, AndroidManifest.xml, and META-INF folder
Replace compiled res folders / files
Here's what this module CAN'T do:
Replace files in res/values or smali folders
How to use EVilTheme
(Example using /system/priv-app/SecSettings2.apk)
In the eviltheme folder, go to system and make a folder called priv-app. Inside it, make another folder called SecSettings2.apk
Now make folders as necessary, according to the location of the files you want to theme. For example, battery_icon_50.png is located in res/drawable-hdpi, so make a folder named res inside SecSettings2.apk.
Inside it, create a folder named drawable-hdpi, then paste your new battery_icon_50.png inside.
Repeat step 2 until you've placed your theme files in their appropriate locations.
When you're done, go back to the root folder of the theme (the one that contains eviltheme, engine, etc.) and put all the objects in a ZIP file.
You should use Deflate compression with compression level on Normal, but if your theme is huge, you can safely try compressing using Deflate and the level set to Ultra or whatever high level is available.
Test your mod.
For information regarding the Magisk Module subbmision etc, please read the information HERE
Link to Github Repository: HERE
Enjoy

Nice! Sounds interesting!
I've been using vrtheme for years and even contacted spanna aabout adapting the script to achieve modding of live system files this eliminating the need for recovery zips and even Aroma!
So I have a question about the use and locations of the asset files.
Would it be possible to change, at least the location from which the files get pulled from and placed into the execute folders?
So basically could it be set to pull the image/resource, whatever file from either a data folder or my preference, sd storage?
I've used an asset folder built into my system for similar commands, but with enough options and large files the system partition can get extremely crowded.
Does my question make sense?
Basically i would like to eliminate a big section of my packed 2gb Aroma zip. About 700mb is all vrtheme injected compiled files.
Either way I will definitely be looking into this!
Thanks

stangdriver44 said:
Nice! Sounds interesting!
I've been using vrtheme for years and even contacted spanna aabout adapting the script to achieve modding of live system files this eliminating the need for recovery zips and even Aroma!
So I have a question about the use and locations of the asset files.
Would it be possible to change, at least the location from which the files get pulled from and placed into the execute folders?
So basically could it be set to pull the image/resource, whatever file from either a data folder or my preference, sd storage?
I've used an asset folder built into my system for similar commands, but with enough options and large files the system partition can get extremely crowded.
Does my question make sense?
Basically i would like to eliminate a big section of my packed 2gb Aroma zip. About 700mb is all vrtheme injected compiled files.
Either way I will definitely be looking into this!
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could, but you would have to look at update-binary and installtheme.sh, then modify it for your needs. So instead of copying the modded files from the flashable zip, you would just have to remove the unzip function and change the path of where they are unzipped to to the location of where the files are on your data partition.
Give it a try

so with this I can technically change the rotation of an app without ever messing with the apk? I've tried editing the AndroidManifest.xml, but after editing I've never been successful putting it back into the apk

dimm0k said:
so with this I can technically change the rotation of an app without ever messing with the apk? I've tried editing the AndroidManifest.xml, but after editing I've never been successful putting it back into the apk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you plan to change androidmanifest.xml you will have to include the newly created META-INF folder for it too.

Could this be used to convert substratum themes to work systemlessly with magisk?
Sent from my Pixel using XDA Labs

qwer777 said:
Could this be used to convert substratum themes to work systemlessly with magisk?
Sent from my Pixel using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're talking about pre-packaged APK theme files, no it probably won't work, as they still need to be installed.
This is more for files that are already installed that require patching.

Nice work
Got one question - is it possible to modify classes.dex if .apk file is not in system folder? I mean for example, if system app gets updated, it creates new folder in data/app/ with the name of the package and with either -1, -2 or whetever number at the end (ex. data/app/com.google.android.youtube-2).
Do I need to just integrate update into system and then modify it? Or just create new folder in eviltheme one with data/... instead of system/...?
Thanks

I tried to modify system/framework/framework-res.apk/res/drawable-xxhdpi-v4/default_wallpaper.jpg, but unfortunately it did not work. Neither on InFocus M808/mod stock 6.0(mt6753) nor on SamsungS5Neo/mod stock 6.0.1(exynos7580)
Both tried with official Magisk 12.0 and newest beta.

nevermind i didn't read all the way

drei.liter.milch said:
I tried to modify system/framework/framework-res.apk/res/drawable-xxhdpi-v4/default_wallpaper.jpg, but unfortunately it did not work. Neither on InFocus M808/mod stock 6.0(mt6753) nor on SamsungS5Neo/mod stock 6.0.1(exynos7580)
Both tried with official Magisk 12.0 and newest beta.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Started another try to replace some icons. did not work. am I missing something or is this template just faulty?
anybody who got this working?

drei.liter.milch said:
Started another try to replace some icons. did not work. am I missing something or is this template just crap?
anybody who got this working?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was a bit rude.
Edit: better to give some details on what you've actually done, maybe even upload your files. Easier to find any faults on your side or possible bugs that way.

I want to add the clock onto my lockscreen statusbar. Would this help me achieve that?

Didgeridoohan said:
That was a bit rude.
Edit: better to give some details on what you've actually done, maybe even upload your files. Easier to find any faults on your side or possible bugs that way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes ok, the word "crap" maybe was a little bit over the top. i'm sorry for that. I just would like to know, if anybody can report this module/template as working. If so, I would go on looking for the error on my side.
I've actually followed exactly the guide given in OP. (It seems not that tricky to me)
-placed folder tree system/framework/framework-res.apk/res/drawable-xxhdpi-v4/ in the eviltheme-folder and put my default_wallpaper.jpg file in drawable-xxhdpi-v4 folder
-edited module.prop und config.sh
-zipped the whole template folder
-installed via magisk manager
-rebooted
tried with to different phones, beta and official magisk (see my first post)
I'll reproduce my logs and attach them later.
anyway thanks for the hint

drei.liter.milch said:
yes ok, the word "crap" maybe was a little bit over the top. i'm sorry for that. I just would like to know, if anybody can report this module/template as working. If so, I would go on looking for the error on my side.
I've actually followed exactly the guide given in OP. (It seems not that tricky to me)
-placed folder tree system/framework/framework-res.apk/res/drawable-xxhdpi-v4/ in the eviltheme-folder and put my default_wallpaper.jpg file in drawable-xxhdpi-v4 folder
-edited module.prop und config.sh
-zipped the whole template folder
-installed via magisk manager
-rebooted
tried with to different phones, beta and official magisk (see my first post)
I'll reproduce my logs and attach them later.
anyway thanks for the hint
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flash Via Recovery, it may work. didnt work for me when i installed from magisk manager.
btw i have a question, is there any way to remove a file from the apk?

shekhawat2 said:
Flash Via Recovery, it may work. didnt work for me when i installed from magisk manager.
btw i have a question, is there any way to remove a file from the apk?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thx, i'll try that. which magisk-version do you use? and i guess maybe you can remove a file by placing a dummy.

drei.liter.milch said:
thx, i'll try that. which magisk-version do you use? and i guess maybe you can remove a file by placing a dummy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No brother, I want to delete the file, not to replace it with dummy file. Replacing with dummy file will give system ui FCs.
I saw something delete.list in the installtheme.sh, but I don't know how to use it. If anyone can help, pls help me.
BTW I am using Magisk v12.

shekhawat2 said:
No brother, I want to delete the file, not to replace it with dummy file. Replacing with dummy file will give system ui FCs.
I saw something delete.list in the installtheme.sh, but I don't know how to use it. If anyone can help, pls help me.
BTW I am using Magisk v12.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, I see. Perhaps you find sth about it in the vrtheme-topic. Btw. flashing in recovery doesn't work either. I'm not messing around with this anymore and continue using flipster :good:

Where can we download? I want to change Viber's background to pure black so I will change the AndroidManifest. Will this theoretically work?

I was wondering what, if anything, I would need to change for this to work on a pixel. On Pixel's, the install path is system/system. I couldn't tell whether or not this could detect the correct path on its own.
Edit: Never mind. I got it to work.